Moisture Corn Research Articles

PSII-5 Impacts of Birth Body Weight Classification on Performance, Feed Efficiency, and Structural Characteristics in Beef Steers

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the relationship of birth body weight (BBW) classification on performance, feed efficiency, and structural characteristics in fall-born beef steers. Steers were classified based on BBW as either light (LtBBW; < -0.5 SD from mean), average (AvgBBW; ± 0.5 SD from mean), or heavy (HvyBBW; > +0.5 SD from mean). Steers (n = 167), either Angus or Hereford sired by commercial dams, were utilized in the analysis. Steers were early weaned at 81 ± 7 days of age. Following weaning, steers were managed in drylot pens until shipping on day 1 (140 ± 6 days of age). Upon feedlot arrival, steers were randomly assigned to pens and fed a growing diet for 87 days until transitioning to a finishing diet (DM basis; 45% high moisture corn, 25% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains with solubles, 10% corn-based supplement). On day 98, steers began a 56-day evaluation utilizing GrowSafe system to determine dry matter intake (DMI). Steers were weighed monthly except during the intake evaluation period, where weights were collected biweekly. Foot, leg, and claw scores were collected for structural characteristics on days 58 and 237. Hip height was collected on day 237. As designed, birth body weight differed (P < 0.01) between classifications (30, 34, and 39 kg for LtBBW, AvgBBW, and HvyBBW, respectively). The BBW classification influenced (P < 0.01) body weight on days 1, 29, 59, 77, 98, 112, 126, 140, 154, 182, and 237; HvyBBW were heavier than LtBBW and AvgBBW, which were not different from each other. During the intake evaluation period, DMI was greater (P = 0.01) for HvyBBW compared with LtBBW and AveBBW, which did not differ from each other. Similarly, ADG differed (P = 0.03) by classification; HvyBBW was greater than LtBBW, with AvgBBW being intermediate but not different from either. Consequently, gain to feed did not differ (P = 0.44) by BBW classification. Following the intake evaluation, ADG tended (P = 0.09) to differ from day 154 to 237. Overall ADG from day 1 to day 237 differed (P = 0.01) by BBW classification; LtBBW were least and HvyBBW were greatest, with AvgBBW being intermediate but not different than either. Foot, leg, and claw scores were not different (P ≥ 0.15) by BBW classification on days 58 and 237. Hip height differed (P = 0.05) by BBW classification on day 237; HvyBBW were taller than LtBBW and AvgBBW, which did not differ from each other. In summary, heavy birth body weight steers had greater growth performance and DMI than light steers but did not differ in feed efficiency or structural characteristics.

263 Effects of Programmed Compensatory Gain on Feedlot Steer Performance

Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of programmed compensatory gain on feedlot steer growth performance. After a period of growth restriction, a return to ad libitum intake will result in compensatory gain as cattle convert feed more efficiently due to reduced maintenance costs. Simmental × Angus steers (n = 159; BW = 278 ± 49 kg) were blocked by BW, stratified by sire, and allotted to 10 pens. Each pen contained a 3.0 m-long bunk to allow 19 cm of linear bunk space per steer. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments on d 0: control (CON) or programmed compensatory gain (PCG). To achieve programmed compensatory gain, previously growing animals were maintained at a constant BW by reducing the amount of feed offered by 3.29% daily for 10 consecutive d. Thus, on d 54, PCG steers were consuming 72% of original dry matter intake (DMI) and subsequently returned to ad libitum intake to facilitate a period of compensatory gain. Feed intake for CON pens was managed using slick bunk management for the entire experiment. Steers were fed a common diet consisting of 20% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains, 25% high moisture corn, 25% dry rolled corn, and 10% supplement inclusion on a dry matter basis. Steers were feed twice daily at 0800 h and 1200 h. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 using a beta distribution. The model included fixed effects of treatment and block. From d 39 to 63, average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P = 0.03) for PCG steers compared with CON steers. No treatment effect (P = 0.36) for dry matter intake was observed from d 39 to 63 as PCG and CON steers were consuming 9.49 and 9.67 kg, respectively. Thus, PCG steers had a greater (P = 0.01) gain:feed (G:F) than CON steers from d 39 to 63. Body weight was not different (P = 0.38) on d 148. Also, ADG from d 0 to 148 was not different (P = 0.54) as PCG and CON steers gained 1.92 and 1.91 kg, respectively. From d 0 to 148, overall dry matter intake was not affected (P = 0.91) by treatment. However, programmed compensatory gain steers had a greater G:F (P = 0.01) compared with CON steers for the overall feeding period (0.216 vs 0.210, respectively). In conclusion, programmed compensatory gain improved G:F of feedlot steers over a 148 d-finishing phase without affecting final body weight. Effects of programmed compensatory gain should be further evaluated in a commercial setting with large feedlot pens.

93 Feedlot Performance, Carcass Traits, and Feeder Calf Value of Beef × Holstein and Holstein Steers

Abstract Dairy producers are increasingly breeding their lower production cows to beef sires in hopes of increasing revenue over straightbred Holstein steers (HO). However, there are limited published data regarding feedlot finishing beef × Holstein crossbred steers (B×HO). Therefore, objectives of this study were to compare feedlot performance, carcass traits, and value of B×HO and HO. Steers were delivered to the Michigan State University Beef Center, Lansing, and after a 21-d adjustment, breed types (B×HO; n = 60 and HO; n = 60) were randomly allocated into 10 pens each. Initial weights (d 0) were 196.7 and 196.9 kg for B×HO and HO, respectively (P = 0.95). Steers remained on a growing diet until d 14 and then transitioned by d 28 to a finisher diet consisting of high moisture corn, corn silage, dried corn distillers grains with solubles, pelleted supplement with monensin, and limestone. The B×HO tended (P = 0.07) to have greater ADG (1.75 ± 0.02 vs. 1.70 ± 0.02 kg/d) compared with HO, but similar DMI (10.40 vs. 10.35 kg/d; P = 0.79). The B×HO had a greater G:F compared with HO (0.188 vs. 0.178; P = 0.02). There were no observed differences in morbidity (8.3 vs. 8.3%; P = 1.0) or mortality (1.7 vs. 1.7%; P = 1.0) for B×HO and HO, respectively. Cost of gain was similar for B×HO ($2.69/kg) when compared with HO ($2.76/kg; P = 0.14). Steers were harvested at a commercial abattoir on d 245 and 266 for B×HO and HO, respectively, after reaching an average empty body fat of 28.0% as determined by ultrasound. Following a 48-h chill, carcass data were collected. Although final live weight tended (P = 0.08) to be less for B×HO compared with HO (621.3 ± 11.5 vs. 634.8 ± 11.5 kg), carcass weights were similar between breed types (365.4 vs. 366.6 kg; P = 0.78). The B×HO had greater longissimus muscle area (87.8 vs. 73.1 cm2; P < 0.01), greater backfat thickness (1.18 vs. 0.79 cm; P < 0.01), and lesser USDA Yield Grade (2.9 vs. 3.2; P = 0.02) than HO. The B×HO and HO had similar marbling scores (Small26 vs. Small37; P = 0.63) and USDA Quality Grades (Low-Choice and greater, 52.7 vs. 59.3%; Mid-Choice and greater, 18.2 vs. 20.3%; and Low-Prime and greater, 3.6 vs. 1.7%; P > 0.40). Based on abattoir plant prices in August 2022, carcass revenue was greater for B×HO ($1,911/carcass) when compared with HO ($1,765/carcass; P < 0.01). Calculated breakeven feeder calf value was $212 greater for B×HO compared with HO ($700 vs. $488/steer; P < 0.01). Overall, B×HO were more feed efficient and produced carcasses with greater yield, resulting in greater feeder calf value when compared with HO counterparts.

Effects of Supplementation of a Mycotoxin Mitigation Feed Additive in Lactating Dairy Cows Fed Fusarium Mycotoxin-Contaminated Diet for an Extended Period.

Fusarium mycotoxins are inactivated by rumen flora; however, a certain amount can pass the rumen and reticulum or be converted into biological active metabolites. Limited scientific evidence is available on the impact and mitigation of Fusarium mycotoxins on dairy cows' performance and health, particularly when cows are exposed for an extended period (more than 2 months). The available information related to these mycotoxin effects on milk cheese-making parameters is also very poor. The objective of this study was to evaluate a commercially available mycotoxin mitigation product (MMP, i.e., TOXO® HP-R, Selko, Tilburg, The Netherlands) in lactating dairy cows fed a Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet, and the repercussions on the dry matter intake, milk yield, milk quality, cheese-making traits and health status of cows. The MMP contains smectite clays, yeast cell walls and antioxidants. In the study, 36 lactating Holstein cows were grouped based on the number of days of producing milk, milk yield, body condition score and those randomly assigned to specific treatments. The study ran over 2 periods (March/May-May/July 2022). In each period, six animals/treatment were considered. The experimental periods consisted of 9 days of adaptation and 54 days of exposure. The physical activity, rumination time, daily milk production and milk quality were measured. The cows were fed once daily with the same total mixed ration (TMR) composition. The experimental groups consisted of a control (CTR) diet, with a TMR with low contamination, high moisture corn (HMC), and beet pulp; a mycotoxins (MTX) diet, with a TMR with highly contaminated HMC, and beet pulp; and an MTX diet supplemented with 100 g/cow/day of the mycotoxin mitigation product (MMP). The trial has shown that the use of MMP reduced the mycotoxin's negative effects on the milk yield and quality (protein, casein and lactose). The MTX diet had a lower milk yield and feed efficiency than the CTR and MMP HP-R diets. The MMP limited the negative effect of mycotoxin contamination on clotting parameters, mitigating the variations on some coagulation properties; however, the MMP inclusion tended to decrease the protein and apparent starch digestibility of the diet. These results provide a better understanding of mycotoxin risk on dairy cows' performances and milk quality. The inclusion of an MMP product mitigated some negative effects of the Fusarium mycotoxin contamination during this trial. The major effects were on the milk yield and quality in both the experimental periods. These results provide better insight on the effects of mycotoxins on the performance and quality of milk, as well as the cheese-making traits. Further analyses should be carried out to evaluate MMP's outcome on immune-metabolic responses and diet digestibility.

Corn kernel hardness and drying temperature affect particle size post-hammer-milling and pellet quality in broiler and swine diets

The particle size (PS) of ground corn affects the live performance, nutrient digestibility, energy utilization, and gut health of poultry and swine. Endosperm hardness influences kernel breakability. The interactive effects of corn moisture content at harvest and drying temperature (DT) can also affect starch-protein matrix structure, breakage susceptibility, and pellet durability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of drying temperature (35 or 120 °C) in two yellow-dent corn hybrids with different kernel hardness (average and hard) on the geometric mean diameter (dgw) and standard deviation by weight (Sgw) when hammermilled, and pellet quality. Four different settings combinations of tip speeds (4213, 3862, 3335, and 2458 m/min) and screen of 8/64", 3.18 mm (8 −8); 20/64", 7.94 mm (20 −20); 24/64", 9.53 mm (24 −24); and 24/64", 9.53 mm (24 −24) respectively were used to target four dgw (400, 700, 925, and 1250 µm). After grinding, the 400 and 700 µm corn were included in broiler and sow diets to assess the impact of these treatments on the pellet durability index (PDI). Grinding and pelleting data were analyzed using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of two corn varieties (CV) and two DT in a randomized complete block design with blocks by grinding or pelleting event. The average hardness CV generally had the lowest dgw. The hard CV had the biggest dgw when kernels were dried at 35 °C, and the tip speed setting was 3335 m/min. Drying at 120 °C increased dgw for the average hardness CV when the target PS were 700, 925, and 1250 µm, but caused no increase in dgw at the lowest target PS. In contrast, the dgw of hard CV was not affected by DT when ground to target 700 and 1250 µm and increased at 400 µm with the high DT. The average hardness CV had higher Sgw, especially when dried at 35 °C. Higher particle uniformity (lower Sgw) was observed with hard CV. Diets containing the hard CV presented better PDI than diets with the average CV. Better broiler feed PDI was observed with corn dried at 120 °C than at 35 °C. However, this effect was the opposite when grinding at a lower PS target for sow gestation diets. The PS distribution and damaged starch of corn affected PDI. Higher corn DT affected dgw and Sgw differently depending on CV and improved PDI in broiler diets, while 35 °C DT improved PDI in sow diets.

Effect of adding different doses of Lactobacillus buchneri on silage of high moisture corn grain

Amaç: Bu çalışma, farklı dozlarda Lactobacillus buchneri (LB) ilavesinin yüksek nemli dane mısırın silolanması üzerine etkisini saptamayı amaçlamıştır.
 
 Materyal ve yöntem: Araştırmanın yem materyalini yaklaşık %70 kuru madde (KM)’de hasat edilen yüksek nemli dane mısır (YNDM) oluşturmuştur. Yüksek nemli dane mısır 0 (kontrol), 104, 105, 106 ve 107 log10 koloni oluşturan birim (kob) g-1 taze materyal (TM) oranında Lactobacillus buchneri (LB) ilave edilerek 5 grupta silolanmıştır. Her bir deneme grubu 3 tekerrür olarak 1,5 L’lik özel cam kavanozlara silolanmıştır. Silajlar 45 gün sonra açılmış ve besin madde bileşenleri saptanmıştır. Ayrıca silajların fermantasyon, aerobik stabilite, in vitro gaz üretimi ve sindirilebilirlik özellikleri saptanmıştır.
 
 Bulgular ve sonuç: Yüksek nemli dane mısıra LB ilavesi silajların laktik asit (LA), propiyonik asit (PA) ve asetik asit (AA) ile laktik asit bakteri sayısını (LAB) önemli düzeyde artırmıştır. Buna karşın silajlara LB ilavesi pH, bütirik asit (BA), amonyak azotu (NH3N), maya ve küf miktarlarını düşürmüştür (p

Performance of beef animals after different corn harvest strategies in a crop-livestock integrated system

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate three harvest strategies of corn intercropped with pigeon pea + Palisade grass on weight gain since grazing through finishing. A triple intercropping of corn + pigeon pea + Palisade grass was established in nine hectares (ha) during the 2016/17 season. Treatments were determined according to each corn harvest strategy: whole crop silage (WCS), high moisture corn (HMC) or corn grain (CG). The latter was not harvested due to a low yield and difficulties to hire a combine harvester for only three ha. After harvest, the 9-ha area was divided in six 1.5-ha pens for the grazing phase of the experiment with 30 non-castrated Nelore steers. The same animals were fed feedlot diets based on three sources of corn following the same harvest strategy (treatments): WCS, HMC or CG (bought from a feed industry). During the grazing phase the area that was supposed to be harvested for CG resulted in the greatest (p≤0.05) stocking rate (3.02 LU/ha) and weight gain per area (210 kg of BW/ha) compared with WCS and HMC. There was no response (p≥0.05) of corn source (according to each harvest strategy) on feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weith (BW) growth, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), pre-slaughter BW, hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP) during the finishing phase. The data reported here may be a valuable guideline for decision making according to the beef production system and economic scenario.

Dependence of corn kernel strength on moisture

BACKGROUND:Moisture has an essential role at threshing of breeding material of corn, as when mois-ture is too low (material is dry) shattering of corn seed takes place while threshing and seed material becomes inapplicable to use, whereas increased moisture leads to underthreshing and microtraumas, invisible to the na-ked eye, that significantly reduces germination of the breeding material.
 AIMS:To define dependence of corn kernel strength on moisture, to carry out an experiment to identify kernel fracture force.
 METHODS:In this study the analysis of scientific researches, made by such scientists as G.K. Takoev, M.G. Golikov and N.S. Buddo who established dependences of corn shattering while corn cob threshing on corn moisture was carried out. The experimental data on study of corn kernel strength with various moisture at threshing by the Rostselmash NOVA 330 and the Claas Mega 370 combine harvesters is presented in the arti-cle and obtained with use of an oscillograph. Corn moisture has a significant impact on cob threshing quality. The scheme of the screw press, used for defining kernel fracture force, is shown in the article.
 RESULTS:It is established that productive capacity of corn threshers reduces with increase of kernel moisture in cobs, leading to complication of threshers design. The experiments revealed that the kernel of the Krasnodarsky 425 MV hybrid corn with the moisture of 18.21% can withstand the average load of 108 N, whereas with the moisture of 29.28% the fracture force reduces to 90-100 N.
 CONCLUSIONS:With the analysis of the obtained experimental data and after plotting corresponding graphs, it is proved that kern strength increases with corn kernel moisture decrease from 30% to 17%.

105 Effects of Monensin on Intake, Growth Performance, and Health of Newly-Received Feedlot Calves

Abstract Monensin is an ionophore commonly fed to feedlot cattle to increase feed efficiency (gain:feed ratio; G:F) typically by decreasing dry matter intake (DMI) when fed at the commonly adopted dose of 33 mg∙kg DM-1. During the receiving period when intake is often suppressed due to management stressors, feeding monensin to light-weight feedlot calves may be detrimental to DMI and consequently to growth performance. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of feeding sodium monensin to newly-received feedlot calves. A total of 380 crossbred beef steers [initial body weight (BW) = 231 ± 25 kg and approximately 8 months of age] were sourced from local auctions in Delhi, LA and transported approximately 16 h to Clayton, NM. Upon arrival, steers were processed, blocked by off-truck shrunk BW, randomly assigned to 20 pens (19 animal∙pen-1), and pens were then randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (n = 10 pens/treatment): control (CON; no feed additive) or sodium monensin at 170 mg∙animal-1∙day-1 (MON; Rumensin 90; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). The basal diet consisted of a complete starter feed composed predominantly of wet corn gluten feed (RAMP; Cargill Sweet Bran, Dalhart, TX). The experiment was 56 days in length. The amount of feed offered to each pen was adjusted based on the DMI of the previous day and bunks were managed to contain trace amounts of feed at 0600 h. Body weight was recorded on days 0, 14, 28, and 56 for average daily gain (ADG) and G:F calculation. Dietary net energy for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) were estimated based on observed growth performance. Daily animal health evaluations were performed using a 4-point scale method based on depression, appetite, respiration, and temperature throughout the experiment. All data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using SAS with pen serving as the experimental unit. Feeding MON did not affect feed intake (P = 0.58) compared with CON, yet ADG was increased (P < 0.01) by 12.5% in steers fed MON compared with CON. Thus, there was a 10.7% increase (P < 0.01) in G:F for MON, which corresponds with a greater (P = 0.02) observed NEm and NEg for MON compared with CON. Feeding MON tended (P = 0.07) to elicit a 2.9% increase in final BW compared with CON. Additionally, there was no treatment effect (P ≥ 0.57) on morbidity based on the number of therapeutic treatments among calves which were treated for indications of bovine respiratory disease. Moreover, treatments did not affect mortality rate. In summary, feeding monensin at 170 mg∙animal-1∙d-1 (26 mg∙kg DM-1) increases growth performance of light-weight, newly-received feedlot cattle without influencing DMI or animal health.

Shape Optimization of Concave Crossbars to Increase Threshing Performance of Moist Corn Ears

Harvesting of high-moisture corn ears poses a challenge due to the high level of grain damage. In the present study, a series of concaves adapted to moist corn ears threshing was developed and evaluated. The key improvements include a concave arc shape and oblique crossbars to reduce corn grain damage and threshing losses. Results show that the geometrical shape of the concave arc and its crossbars have a significant influence on the grain detachment from the ears, grain separation through the concave, and grain damage during the threshing process of moist ears of corn. Studies show that replacing the concave rounded crossbars with oblique ones can increase threshing performance of moist corn ears. A concave with an Archimedes’ spiral arc and oblique concave crossbars is an effective approach to improve corn grain quality and reduce harvest losses due to grain damage. We identify the optimal design for threshing corn ears as an experimental concave with an Archimedes’ spiral arc of 8 mm height, with 19 mm wide crossbars of the concave with an oblique working plane (tilt angle 25°). This design achieves minimal threshing grain losses (0.03%) when threshing moist ears (grain moisture content ~35%), and damaged grain in the threshing apparatus does not exceed the permissible limit of 3% at an ear feed rate of 16.8 kg s−1.

Rapid determination of the main components of corn based on near-infrared spectroscopy and a BiPLS-PCA-ELM model.

To evaluate corn quality quickly, the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with chemometrics was analyzed to detect the moisture, oil, protein, and starch content in corn. A backward interval partial least squares (BiPLS)-principal component analysis (PCA)-extreme learning machine (ELM) quantitative analysis model was constructed based on BiPLS in conjunction with PCA and the ELM. The selection of characteristic spectral intervals was accomplished by BiPLS. The best principal components were determined by the prediction residual error sum of squares of Monte Carlo cross validation. In addition, a genetic simulated annealing algorithm was utilized to optimize the parameters of the ELM regression model. The established regression models for moisture, oil, protein, and starch can meet the demand for corn component detection with the prediction determination coefficients of 0.996, 0.990, 0.974, and 0.976; the prediction root means square errors of 0.018, 0.016, 0.067, and 0.109; and the residual prediction deviations of 15.704, 9.741, 6.330, and 6.236, respectively. The results show that the NIRS rapid detection model has higher robustness and accuracy based on the selection of characteristic spectral intervals in conjunction with spectral data dimensionality reduction and nonlinear modeling and can be used as an alternative strategy to detect multiple components in corn rapidly.

Factors affecting household carbohydrate food consumption in Central Java: Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a change in food demand. In Central Java, during the pandemic (2021), the proportion of expenditure on the grain food group was higher than in 2020; meanwhile, the proportion of the ready-to-eat food group decreased. This study aims to analyze the pattern of food consumption of carbohydrate sources, the influencing factors, and the elasticity of consumption in households in Central Java before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses data from the National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas) for 12 districts/cities in Central Java consisting of 9,812 in 2019 and 10,636 households samples in 2021. Data analysis used the Linear Approximation Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) method. Results of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the household consumption pattern of carbohydrate-source food in Central Java. The proportion of expenditure on rice, wheat flour, shelled corn, cassava, and potatoes has increased. On the other hand, wet corn, instant noodles, and white rice decreased. The price of food sources of carbohydrates and the number of household members positively affect the consumption of food sources of carbohydrates. At the same time, income has a negative effect. There are differences in the effect of the location of the residence on the consumption of food sources of carbohydrates before and during the pandemic. The value of own-price elasticity and income elasticity shows that before the pandemic, rice was a staple good whose consumption was inelastic. Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, wheat flour, wet-skinned corn, shelled corn, potatoes, white rice, and cassava in the pre-pandemic period was Giffen because the price elasticity was positive, and the income elasticity was negative. Meanwhile, rice during the pandemic, instant noodles before and during the pandemic, and cassava were Veblen goods because their price and income elasticity were positive. Cross elasticity shows that before the pandemic, most of the relationships between food sources of carbohydrates were substitutes, while during the pandemic, most of the relationships between food sources of carbohydrates were complementary.

Effects of replacing corn silage with alfalfa haylage in growing beef cattle diets on performance during the growing and finishing period.

Corn silage is the predominant mechanically harvested forage source for feedlot cattle production in the United States because of high yield. Alternatively, because of multiple cuttings per year and lower annual cost, the use of alfalfa or other forages, may increase opportunities for manure spreading, perennial soil cover, pollinator habitat, and greater carbon sequestration. The objective of this trial was to determine the feeding value of alfalfa haylage when replacing corn silage in growing cattle diets. One-hundred-sixty-five Angus crossbred steers [326 ± 51 kg of body weight (BW)] were blocked by initial BW and randomly assigned to one of 28 pens at the University of Minnesota feedlot. Pens were randomly assigned to dietary growing treatments. The control diet was comprised of (DM basis) 50% corn silage, 19.25% rolled corn grain, 19.25% high moisture corn, 7% dried distillers grains plus solubles, and 4.5% liquid supplement (corn silage control, CS Control). For alfalfa haylage (AH) diets, AH substituted corn silage at 33% (AH 33), 66% (AH 66), or 100% (AH 100). Growth performance measurements [dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed (G:F) ratio] were assessed for 42 to 70 d depending on BW block. Afterwards, steers were fed a common finishing diet until harvested. There was a linear increase in DMI (P < 0.01) with increasing AH inclusion. Replacing CS with AH linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) ADG and G:F. No differences (P ≥ 0.10) were observed in finishing performance or carcass traits. Results from this study demonstrated that greater substitution of corn silage with alfalfa haylage in growing diets resulted in greater intake but reduced rate of gain and gain:feed. Despite slower rate of gain, cattle fed alfalfa haylage at increasing proportions during the growing period were able to compensate in BW gains during the finishing period and reached harvest weight and backfat thickness at similar days on feed than those fed corn silage. Based on these results the energy value of corn silage and alfalfa haylage were 3.05 and 2.39 Mcal ME/kg of DM, respectively, when included at 50% of the diet DM.

Spontaneous fractures and hypocuprosis in pen-backgrounded Holstein calves

Bone fractures are a frequent cause of limp in cattle, being pre-existing bone lesions among the predisposing factors. However, there is scant information about the natural occurrence of bone disease. This report aimed to describe an outbreak of spontaneous fractures associated with hypocuprosis in pen-backgrounded calves. Hind limp and irreversible recumbency were noticed in 9-month-old calves of a dairy farm from Córdoba province (Argentina). The issue was only evident in males fed a diet composed (DM) of 57% wet corn, 24% dry corn distiller grains, and 19% corn silage. No mineral mix was supplied. Accumulated morbidity and fatality rates were 5.8 and 100%, respectively. Two autopsies were performed, observing multiple femoral and rib fractures. Severe hypocupremia, very low copper levels in the liver and plasma, deficient dietary copper levels, normocalcemia, marginal hypophosphatemia, and high sulfate concentrations in the water supply were determined. Except for the decreased bone quantity and the multiple fractures, no bone lesion was observed, confirming osteoporosis as the pathological diagnosis, and hypocuprosis as the etiology.

Experimental Design for the Propagation of Smoldering Fires in Corn Powder and Cornflour

Corn is an example of an agricultural grain with a specific combustibility level and can promote smoldering fires during storage. This paper conducts an experimental design to numerically evaluate how three parameters, namely particle size, moisture, and air ventilation, influence the smoldering velocity. The work methodology is based on Minitab’s experimental design, which defined the number of experiments. First, a pile of corn is heated by a hot plate and a set of thermocouples registers all temperature variations. Then, a full-factorial experiment is implemented in Minitab to analyze the smoldering, which provides a mathematical equation to represent the smoldering velocity. The results indicate that particle size is the most influential factor in the reaction, with 35% and 45% variation between the dried and wet samples. Moreover, comparing the influence of moisture between corn flour and corn powder samples, a variation of 19% and 31% is observed; additionally, analyzing the ventilation as the only variant, we noticed variations of 15% and 17% for dried and wet corn flour, and 27% and 10% for dried and wet corn powder. Future studies may use the experimental design of this work to standardize the evaluation methodology and more effectively evaluate the relevant influencing factors.

Fibrous coproducts of corn and citrus as forage and concentrate sources for dairy cows.

This study evaluated the effect on dairy cows of the partial replacement of whole plant corn silage (WPCS) with corn ear fibrous coproduct (CEFC) in diets with concentrate coproducts from citrus and corn on dry matter intake (DMI), lactation performance, digestibility, and chewing behavior. Holstein dairy cows (n = 20) in 5, 4 × 4 Latin squares (21-d periods) were fed a combination of strategies for feeding fibrous coproducts in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of the following treatments: (1) forage feeds: the partial replacement of WPCS (CS) with CEFC (CO), and (2) concentrate feeds: the partial replacement of wet corn gluten feed (GF) with a blend of pelleted citrus and corn distillers dried grains (CD) to have isonitrogenous diets. The concentrations of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (NDF; peNDF>8) were (% of dry matter): 21.8% for CS, 19.2% for CO, 20.7% for GF, and 20.2% for CD. Cows fed diet CS-CD had the highest yield of energy-corrected milk (30.0 kg/d) relative to the other diets (28.4 kg/d). Milk fat concentration was reduced on CO relative to CS. Cows fed the CO diets had higher DMI (21.2 vs. 20.2 kg/d) and digestible organic matter intake and tended to have a lower ratio of energy-corrected milk to DMI than cows fed CS. Diets CO reduced the daily intake of peNDF>8 and the intake as percent of body weight of peNDF>8, forage NDF, and total NDF relative to CS. Cows fed CO had greater meal frequency and lower daily meal time, meal duration, meal size, and duration of the largest meal than cows fed CS. The CO diet reduced rumination and total chewing in minutes per day and minutes per kilogram of DMI. When expressed per unit of peNDF>8 intake, rumination and total chewing were not affected by forage source. The total-tract starch digestibility coefficient was lower for cows fed CO than CS, but the intake of digestible starch was higher on CO than CS. Cows fed GF had reduced milk yield (29.6 vs. 30.8 kg/d), tended to have reduced DMI (20.4 vs. 21.0 kg/d), and had reduced digestible organic matter intake than cows fed CD. Feed efficiency was not affected by source of concentrate. The type of concentrate did not affect the intake of forage NDF and peNDF>8, but cows fed GF had higher intake of total NDF as percent of body weight than cows fed CD. The GF increased meal frequency and reduced meal size and largest meal duration and size. Cows fed GF had higher rumination and total chewing than cows fed CD (min/d, min/kg of DMI, and min/kg peNDF>8). Starch digestibility was higher and the intake of digestible starch tended to be higher on cows fed GF than CD. Plasma urea-N was higher, milk urea-N tended to be higher, and N utilization efficiency tended to be lower on cows fed GF than CD. Ruminal microbial yield was not affected by any treatment. All strategies evaluated were nutritionally viable and CEFC was a feasible partial replacement for WPCS.

343 Effect of Ruminally-Protected Lysine Supplementation to Limit-fed Growing Cattle on Growth and Subsequent Finishing Performance

Abstract Lysine may be limiting for cattle fed diets based on corn products. Our objective was to supplement ruminally protected lysine to cattle limit-fed a corn-based diet during the growing phase and assess performance during growing and subsequent finishing phases. The 77-d growth trial used 338 crossbred steers allocated to 32 pens limit-fed 2.4% of body weight daily. Steers were implanted (40 mg trenbolone acetate, 8 mg estradiol) at trial initiation. Diets contained 39.5% corn grain, 40% wet corn gluten feed, 13% hay, and 7.5% supplement. Treatments included: no supplemental amino acids (control), 3 g/d metabolizable lysine from Smartamine ML (Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA; Lys-3), 6 g/d metabolizable lysine from Smartamine ML (Lys-6), and supplemental blood meal (Aadvantage; Perdue Agribusiness, Kings Mountain, NC) at 0.89% of dietary dry matter plus 2 g/d metabolizable methionine from Smartamine M (BM). Individual body weights were measured on d 0 and 77. After 77 d, cattle were shipped to a commercial feedlot, commingled in 2 pens, fed a common diet for 185 or 206 d, and slaughtered commercially. Performance during finishing was measured using carcass data from the slaughter facility. During the growing phase, Lys-3 tended to improve average daily gain by 0.11 kg/d (P = 0.12) and feed efficiency (P = 0.08) compared with control. During finishing, Lys-6 tended to have daily gains 0.05 kg/d greater than control and Lys-3 (P = 0.17). Carcass weights were 7.1 and 3.4 kg heavier than control for Lys-6 and Lys-3, respectively. BM did not affect performance during the growing or finishing period and resulting carcass weight. Ruminally protected lysine supplementation during the growing phase tended to improve performance of cattle during growing and/or finishing phases, as well as carcass weights.

332 Evaluating the Effects of Lactic Acid Adaptation in Beef Cattle Prior to an Acidosis Challenge

Abstract The objective was to determine if a 7-day lactic acid adaptation in cannulated steers affected ruminal fermentation during an acidosis challenge. Steers (n=18; 790 ± 68 kg) were assigned to one of two treatments: control (CON) 500 mL of H2O or 1 mM DL-Lactic acid solution per kg steer BW (LAC). Steers were dosed with treatments via the cannula prior to feeding for seven days during the adaptation period. The adaptation diet consisted of 25% corn silage, 30% grass hay, 15% dry distillers grains, 25% dry rolled corn, 5% molasses and 10% supplement. To induce acidosis, steers were fasted for 24 hours and subsequently fed a high concentrate diet consisting of 15% corn silage, 15% dry distillers grains, 55% high moisture corn, 5% molasses, 10% supplement. Rumen fluid was collected throughout the acidosis challenge to measure fermentation characteristics including rumen pH, redox, ammonia, volatile fatty acids, and lactic acid. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with a repeated measures analysis. Dry matter intake was not affected (P ≥ 0.65) by treatment before or after the acidosis challenge. A treatment × time interaction was not observed (P = 0.83) for ruminal pH, but pH was affected (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by time and remained between 5.6 and 5.0 for about 14 hours during the challenge. A treatment × hour interaction tended (P = 0.08) to be observed for lactate; LAC had a greater concentration than CON at hour 14 during the challenge. However, a treatment × hour interaction was not detected (P ≥ 0.38) for ammonia, volatile fatty acids, fecal pH and redox potential. In conclusion, these results indicate that a 7-day lactic acid adaption at 1 mM per kg BW did not affect ruminal fermentation characteristics during an acidosis challenge.

PSX-A-1 Impacts of Undigestible NDF and Grain Source in Feedlot Steers on Performance, Feeding Behavior, and Ruminal pH

Abstract Little is known about how fiber quality impacts rumen health in feedlot diets with minimal forage inclusion. The objective of the study is to investigate the interaction between undigestible NDF (uNDF) levels and grain fermentability (GF) on animal performance, feeding behavior, and ruminal pH in feedlot steers. Using a 2x2 factorial design, Angus crossbred steers (n=96, 505±54 kg) were fed an isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet containing: high uNDF (haylage; 12% uNDF) or lower uNDF (corn silage, 6% uNDF) and high (high moisture corn) or lower ruminally fermentable grain (rolled corn) yielding 4 different treatments. Following adaption, steers were fed their treatment ration for 102±14d before slaughter. Feed intake (DMI) and feeding behavior data were collected using Insentec feeders and continuous ruminal pH was measured during the last 4 weeks before slaughter using indwelling pH probes (12 steers/treatment). Liver abscesses and gut health scores were assessed at slaughter. Steers on the low uNDF diet had greater ADG (P≥0.005) and improved F:G (P≥0.005) for the first half of the finisher period. No other differences in performance traits were found for the second half or overall finisher period between uNDF and GF, or their interaction. DMI (P≥0.64) did not differ, but time spent at the feeder (min/day) was greater (P≥0.02) for low GF steers. Steers fed low uNDF had greater (P≥0.04) time per day spent with ruminal pH below pH 5.8. At slaughter, steers fed high GF treatments had greater hot carcass weights (P≥0.03). This data suggests that low uNDF can improve early gain but may result in increased SARA risk compared to high uNDF at the same forage inclusion level. However, there was limited interaction with grain processing. Further research should continue to investigate relationships between uNDF and ruminal pH, and dietary uNDF concentrations that optimize performance without compromising gut health.

Effect of supplemental methionine on health and performance of receiving beef heifers.

Methionine supplementation can improve immune function in transition dairy cattle. Our objective was to determine if supplemental methionine could improve health and performance of newly received growing cattle. Crossbred heifers (n = 384; 222 kg initial body weight; southeastern U.S. origin) were received in four truckloads (blocks) over 9 d. Heifers were weighed at arrival. The following day (d 0) cattle were vaccinated for viral and clostridial diseases, received 2.5 mg tulathromycin/kg body weight, and were stratified within the blocks by arrival body weight to 1 of 8 pens containing 12 heifers each. Within blocks, pens were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (control) or 0.1725% Smartamine M to provide 0.1035% metabolizable methionine to the diet. Cattle were limit-fed at 2.2% of body weight daily (dry matter basis) on a diet containing 40% wet corn gluten feed, 34.5% dry-rolled corn, 10% corn silage, 7.5% supplement, 4% alfalfa hay, and 4% prairie hay. Pen weights were measured weekly to determine the feed offered the following week. Individual body weight and tail-vein blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, and 45. Plasma haptoglobin was measured to assess acute-phase protein response. Incidences of morbidity (1.6% for control, 2.6% for Smartamine M) and mortality (0.5% for both control and Smartamine M) were low. Between d 0 and 45, no differences were observed for average daily gain (1.24 vs. 1.27 kg/d; control vs. Smartamine M, P = 0.55) or gain:feed (0.107 vs. 0.110, P = 0.28), although dry matter intake was 1.3% greater (P < 0.01) for control than Smartamine M due to differences in diet dry matter concentration. An interaction between treatment and linear effect of day was detected for plasma haptoglobin (P < 0.05); over time, haptoglobin increased more for control (2.15, 2.28, and 2.95 mg/mL at 0, 14, and 45 d) than for Smartamine M (2.35, 2.37, and 2.58 mg/mL). Supplemental methionine may alleviate acute-phase protein responses in stressed receiving cattle.